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The John J. Ahern President's Award

Originally created by the SFPE Board of Directors in 1987 as the President's Award, The John J. Ahern President's Award honors individuals whose conspicuous contributions deserve very special recognition by the Society and its leadership. The Award was renamed in 1993 to honor the Society's first president, John J. Ahern, P.E., who was elected in May 1951.

Ahern was professor and director of the Department of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology. In 1948, Ahern was appointed chairman of a special NFPA Committee to consider the professional status of fire protection engineering and make recommendations on actions needed to further promote it as a profession. A key finding from this work was the recommendation to create the Society of Fire Protection Engineers within NFPA.

In addition to his work with NFPA and SFPE, Ahern served as director of security at General Motors Corporation, where his responsibilities spanned fire protection, safety and industrial security.